Prosecutors on Friday dropped the remaining charges against Jessica Tata, a home day care operator who was shopping when a fire broke out at the house, killing four toddlers and injuring three who had been left there alone.

Tata was sentenced to 80 years in prison last year for felony murder in the death of one of the children, although jurors heard about the deaths and injuries of all of the preschoolers.

"They heard about all of the kids, all seven were mentioned from beginning to end," said Assistant Harris County District Attorney Steve Baldassano. "I think the 80-year sentence reflected that."

He said there was no way to stack additional sentences on top of the 80-year punishment, so any more trials would be redundant.

"There's really no reason to drag the families through all of that again," Baldassano said.

If Tata appeals the case and wins, prosecutors would just retry the case, he said. And, he added, because there is no statute of limitations on murder any of the cases could be refiled if necessary.

With the cases dismissed, he said, Tata can be moved from the Harris County Jail to prison. She will be eligible for parole in 30 years.

Baldassano notified the extended families of the children about the development

"They pretty much understand there's no point in going through that again for nothing," Baldassano said. "She's already doing the time."

Castillo's grandmother said she was glad when the trial was over, but said she and her daughter, Keisha Brown, would take the witness stand again if another family wanted to take Tata back to court.

"I know there's justice for the other babies because she's going to jail," said Jodie Brown. "But I don't know how I'd feel if I was one of the other families, in not going to trial for my child."

Brown said the families were disappointed to learn that any prison sentence of 60 years or more, including a life sentence, means the defendant is eligible for parole in 30 years.

"Everyone wanted to see her get life," she said. "We wanted life without parole."

Life without parole is only available for capital murder, and prosecutors have to prove to a jury that a person intended to kill.

Tata left the children unsupervised to go shopping. A pot of hot oil she left on the stove caught fire and burned her west Houston home day care on Feb. 24, 2011.

Tata's attorney, Mike DeGeurin, said he is focused on appealing Tata's conviction.

"We are glad to be able to focus on the appeal and not have to put the families through the emotional ordeal of multiple trials while the case is being reviewed by the appellate courts," he said in an emailed statement.